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2020-12-31-accounts

ST GEORGE’S CHURCH BICKLEY Diocese of Rochester

Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council

for the year ended 31st December 2020

Parish Priest

The Rev’d Richard Norman SSC

Honorary Assistant Priests

The Rev’d David Cossar SSC The Rev’d Canon Owen Beament MBE

Churchwardens

Mrs Vera Bilby Miss Isobel Whelan (until 31/10/20) Mr Leonard Brown (from 1/11/20)

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd

Independent Examiner

Mrs Claire Moore

Charities Act Registration Number – 1132872

www.stgeorgebickley.co.uk

St George’s Church, Bickley

ST GEORGE’S CHURCH, BICKLEY

Under the Pastoral Care of the Bishop of Richborough

Mission Statement

1

St George’s Church, Bickley

Parochial Church Council

The Parochial Church Council has the responsibility of co-operating with the Parish Priest in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Powers Measure (1956) as amended.

Membership

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio, or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Following resolutions of the APCM members are elected for a three-year period, after which they are not eligible for re-election until at least one year has passed. The PCC may also co-opt up to two additional members.

During 2020/21 the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council

Incumbent The Rev’d Richard Norman (Chairman) Churchwardens Mrs Vera Bilby (Vice-Chairman) Mr Leonard Brown Elected lay representatives on the Deanery Synod Mrs Margaret Brading Mrs Elizabeth Clitheroe Elected members

Mrs Susan Boorman (retires 2021) Mrs Peggy Good (retires 2023) Mrs Margaret Brading (retires 2021) Mr David Hood (retires 2023) Mr Paul Braybrooke (retires 2023) Mrs Jill Powell (retires 2022) Mr Jeremy Clitheroe (retires 2022) Mrs Lyn Wheeler (retires 2021) Mr Clifford Finn (retires 2022)

Co-opted Miss Eleanor Bull and Mr Graham Callow for one year

Committees

The PCC has set up the following committees which carry out particular functions on behalf of the Council:

Standing Committee

This is the only committee required by church law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Events Committee

This is responsible for planning parish social events. It also arranges refreshments required in association with services and other events. The Committee is also responsible – to an extent - for raising money for both general and specific purposes.

Mission Committee

This Committee advises the PCC on where the parish’s efforts at mission and evangelism ought to be focussed, and meets on an ad hoc basis.

PCC Meetings during 2020

The full PCC met six times during 2020 with very good attendance on all occasions. Committees met regularly and reports of their activities were received and discussed where necessary by the Council. Summary reports of PCC meetings have been published in the parish monthly Bulletin .

Church Attendance

There were 111 persons on the Church Electoral Roll in 2020. Of these approximately one third are resident in the parish and two thirds non-resident. The average Sunday Mass attendance was 89(115). Average Sunday attendance including baptisms was 95(136). Usual Sunday Mass attendance in 2020 (so far as this was meaningfully calculable in light of the pandemic lockdowns) was 84(101), including 13 children.

Low Mass was usually offered daily except Mondays (and latterly live-streamed on Thursdays), with an attendance ranging from 2 to 21. Mass was sung on a number of Holy Days. The monthly Healing Service was suspended in light of COVID-19.

There were 13 baptisms, 2 weddings, 5 funerals in church and 14 conducted at cemeteries or crematoria by the parish clergy during 2020.

The church is generally open during daylight hours.

*Figures in brackets relate to 2019.

Safeguarding

The parish of St George, Bickley is committed to implementing the House of Bishops' safeguarding policies and good practice guidance. A formal statement under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults) to adopt the House of Bishops' "Promoting a Safer Church: Safeguarding Policy Statement" was agreed by the Parochial Church Council and recorded in the Minutes of the meeting on 18 October 2020.

The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church.

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Our Commitments:

Public Benefit

The Trustees take account of the Charity Commission general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the PCC’s purpose and in considering how planned activities will meet that aim.

The Trustees believe that St George’s Church promotes the whole mission of the Church of England in the Parish of Bickley and beyond its boundaries, including its pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical aspects, and that in doing so it provides a benefit to the public by:

Review of the Year

The year began on a busy and positive note, with an Epiphany party for families and children; a session of Messy Church ; a pre-Lent parish lunch; a well-attended Lent Lecture & Recital; and parish outings to the National Gallery, Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey (twice – on the second occasion to support Fr Richard, who had been invited to preach at Evensong), to open our celebration of “The Year of the Word”. Usual Sunday Attendance in the first quarter of 2020 was a robust 106 (a 5% increase on the previous year), and Ash Wednesday attendance again increased.

In mid-March, however, the country was plunged into lockdown, on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public access to the church, and participation in the liturgy, was suspended, from 18 March to 4 July, and again from 6 November to 3 December (although latterly with public access to the church for private prayer). Throughout lockdown, Mass was celebrated daily behind closed doors, and live-streamed to the congregation in their homes, with 20-25 households tuning in daily, and double this number on Sundays. The complete liturgies of Holy Week were celebrated (and livestreamed) with the participation of a single minister. Our Children’s Church provision

4

St George’s Church, Bickley

likewise moved online, as did school Collective Worship and assemblies, and chaplaincy to the local Air Cadet squadron. Pastoral contact was maintained with parishioners – especially the vulnerable and isolated – via telephone, e-mail and post.

When the church was able to re-open for public worship, stringent COVID-security measures had to be put in place, including the suspension of congregational singing, social distancing measures which significantly reduced the seating capacity, and Communion in one kind only. To address the dramatic decrease in income, digital tools such as the PayPal Giving Fund, and the Facebook “fundraiser” facility, were employed, generating valuable additional resources. Eagerly-anticipated events in the parish calendar, such as the Summer Fete, the pilgrimage to Walsingham, and the Mission Partnership Study Day were cancelled, and weddings and christenings postponed. The Annual Parish Meeting could not take place until mid-October. Widespread anxiety as Greater London moved into “Tier 4” restrictions in December saw Christmas attendance fall to 513, 40% below the 2019 figure; however, we were pleased to partner with the choir of St Giles, Farnborough to host two Carol Services.

Despite the year’s challenges, St George’s held its own, with attendance recovering to 90% of pre-pandemic levels before the second lockdown was declared. Average Weekly Attendance in October was 95 (Average Sunday Attendance 88). We welcomed guest preachers including the Bishops of Maidstone and Beverley, the Priest-Administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, and Prof. Markus Bockmuehl, Dean Ireland’s Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture at the University of Oxford. Fr Owen Beament MBE joined the clergy team as an honorary assistant priest. The Bishop of Richborough confirmed 6 candidates during 2020. We continued to promote our mission partnerships with The Annunciation, Chislehurst, St Augustine, Belvedere and St Mary, Swanley, offering financial support and clergy fraternity.

Significant works to the fabric of the church and Hall included the replacement of bell ropes and the repair of the Angelus mechanism; the replacement of damaged lightning conductors; the professional cleaning of the floor and carpets in the church; repainting and repair of tracery in the south-west corner; the clearing of the drains and soakaways; repairs to the boundary wall, and replacement of coping stones on the Hall roof. An Energy Audit was conducted, and various recommendations will be implemented in 2021. The grounds continued to be maintained in excellent condition.

Much of the loss of income derived from the lockdown closure of the Hall to groups and parties; the Pre-School sadly moved offsite at the end of the year. However, negotiations for the installation of communications equipment in the tower continued, with a rental agreement to be finalised in Spring 2021.

The church maintains its close links with St George’s CE Primary School, providing gifts for school leavers, Christmas gifts for all pupils and staff, and inviting Year Six children to design the parish Easter invitations.

St George’s is a member of Churches Together in Chislehurst and Bickley .

Financial Review

The net deficit for the year was £12,367 (2019: surplus £13,011), comprising a deficit in unrestricted funds of £12,937 (2019 surplus £12,963) and a surplus of £570 (2019:

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St George’s Church, Bickley

surplus £48) in restricted funds. Total incoming resources were £107,266 (2019: £174,679), £102,023 (2019: £159,943), in unrestricted funds and £5,243 (2019: £14,736) in restricted funds. Incoming resources in 2020 were boosted by a £5,000 (2019 £13,500) legacy received during the year.

At 31[st] December 2020 total funds stood at £87,638 (2019: £100,005). Funds designated for specific purposes were £25,390 (2019: £19,322). The general fund decreased by £18,435 to £62,248 (2019: £80,683). Total cash balances at 31 December 2020 were £95,048 (2019: £104,402) held in short term deposits, current account and cash.

Due to the COVID-19 lock-downs and difficult economic conditions, Hall Letting income decreased in 2020 by over £33,500 (2019: increase over £17,000). Hall income is a substantial source of income for St George’s.

This year St George’s has supported a number of charities, notably Welcare , through designated collections and allocations from the general fund. Our Lent Appeal funded the work of local charity SteerRight , providing lifestyle coaching to vulnerable young people within the congregation and our parish school; we were also awarded match-funding for this project from the diocesan Children and Young People’s Fund (although this has yet to be paid). A one-off collection at Harvest raised £1,000 for the Bromley Borough Food Bank, and just shy of £300 was raised at the Christmas Family Crib Services, for the Friends of the PRUH . An appeal for £5,000 to renovate the church organ was successful, raising this sum in record time.

Our main items of on-going expenditure continue to be parish share (which includes stipendiary costs), and the maintenance and running costs of the church and hall, including utility and insurance costs. During the periods of lockdown, we were able to claim against the honorarium of the Director of Music, under the Government’s “furlough” scheme. In December, a film company hired the car park for a day.

We have received notification of a bequest of £10,000, hopefully to be paid early in 2021.

In order to secure the long-term viability of the parish, further significant maintenance works to the church and hall will be necessary over the next few years, including repairs to the church masonry. It is encouraging that people continue to commit to the parish through the planned giving schemes including making donations under Gift Aid. Our regular and one-off fund raising activities continue to generate additional funds. However, it is important that we continue to try to increase incoming resources and manage our ongoing expenditure.

Reserves Policy

In 2018 the PCC set a reserves policy to endeavour to achieve a balance on undesignated funds in cash and at the bank equal to six months expenditure to cover general outgoings. Based on the 2021 budget this amounts to £64,250 (2020: £79,500). The undesignated Cash & Bank balance at 31 December 2020 of £69,658 (2019: £85,080) represented a surplus of £5,408 (2019: surplus £5,580) against this policy.

Surplus cash may be invested in short term bank deposit accounts, and endowment funds are invested in accordance with the terms of the endowment.

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Signed on behalf of the Parochial Church Council

Rev’d Richard Norman

Chairman 16 March 2021

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Independent examiner’s report to the PCC of St George’s Church, Bickley

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31 December 2020, which are set out on pages 9 to 16.

Responsibilities and basis of report

The PCC's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Claire Moore Bickley Kent 16 March 2021

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ended 31 December 2020


Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
2a
Activities for generating funds
2b
Income from investments
2c
Church activities
2d
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
2
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Church activities
3a
Fund raising costs
3b
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
3
NET INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE
TRANSFERS
Transfers between funds
9
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD
1 JANUARY
9
BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD
31 DECEMBER
9		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
2020
2020
2020
£
£
£
76,695
5,243
81,938

22,591
-
22,591
68
-
68
2,669
-
2,669
102,023
5,243
107,266

114,587
4,673
119,260

373
-
373
114,960
4,673
119,633

(12,937)
570
(12,367)
570
(570)
-
(12,367)
-
(12,367)
100,005
-
100,005
87,638
-
87,638
 Total
Funds
2019
£
103,350
60,461
57
10,811
174,679
160,113
1,555
161,668
13.011
-
13,011
86,994
100,005

The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Balance sheet

At 31 December 2020


Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets
6
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
7
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
LIABILITIES
Creditors - amounts falling due
within one year
8
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL NET ASSETS
PARISH FUNDS
Unrestricted
9
Restricted
9		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
funds
funds
Funds
2020
2020
2020
£
£
£
-
-
-
10,681
-
10,681
25,390
-
25,390
63,702
5,956
69,658
99,773
5,956
105,729
(12,135)
(5,956)(18,091)
87,638
-
87,638
87,638
-
87,638
87,638
-
87,638
-
-
-
87,638
-
87,638		 Total
Funds
2019
£
-
6,856
19,322
85,080
111,258
(11,253)
100,005
100,005
100,005
-
100,005

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 16 March 2021 and signed on its behalf by :

Rev’d Richard Norman David Hood Chairman Treasurer and Member of the PCC

The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements

Registered Charity Number: 1132872

10

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

1 Accounting policies

a) Basis of accounting

The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations' 'true and fair view' provisions, together with FRS 102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS 102)).

The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, or those that are informal gatherings of church members.

b) Funds

Details of the movements in the funds under the PCC’s control during the year are given in note 9 to the financial statements.

The General Fund represents the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for the general purposes of the PCC. The PCC seeks to hold sufficient free reserves in the general fund to meet its future expenditure requirements, taking into account expected future income.

The PCC has agreed that the Hall and Church Diocesan Repair Schemes as designated funds, These funds are designated to contribute to the cost of for future repairs and maintenance to the church and church hall identified as necessary by inspectors appointed on behalf of the diocese;

Restricted funds are restricted to the purpose for which the funds have been raised.

Income and expenditure relating to special appeals to meet specific expenditure are included as restricted movements. Special appeals are conducted with the proviso that any final surplus remaining once all expenditure has been met can be transferred to the unrestricted General Fund.

Where expenditure exceeds income on a specific project the excess costs are charged in the unrestricted general fund.

Endowment funds are capital funds to which the PCC has access to the income only, and can only realise the investment under the terms of the endowment.

11

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

c) Incoming resources

Planned giving collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax income is recognised when the income to which it relates is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Interest is accrued. All other income is recognised when it is receivable.

All incoming resources are recognised gross except for contributions to shared costs, monies received on behalf of other parties and refunds.

d) Resources used

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded if their award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds.

The parish share is accounted for when payable. All other expenditure is accounted for when due.

All expenditure is accounted for gross, except for the element of shared costs and payments of money received on behalf of other parties.

e) Fixed assets

Tangible assets

Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the financial statements.

Moveable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property.

For inalienable property acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Items acquired since 1 January 2000 are capitalised and depreciated in the accounts over their anticipated useful economic life on a straight line basis.

All expenditure incurred on consecrated or beneficed buildings, individual items under £1,000 or on the repair of moveable church furnishings is written off as incurred.

Office and other equipment are depreciated on a straight line basis over 4 years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of less than £1,000 are written off when the asset is acquired.

Investments

Any investments are valued at market value at 31 December each year and unrealised gains or losses are accounted for in the financial statements. Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold.

12

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

f) Current assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible.

Short term deposits represent cash held on deposit at the Diocese of Rochester. Where a bank account holds cash in respect of more than one fund, the assets are apportioned between the various unrestricted and restricted funds according to the fund balance.

2
Incoming resources

2a Voluntary income
Planned giving
Tax efficient donations
Other
Other giving
Collections at services
Tax recoverable
Donations, appeals
Tax recoverable
Legacies
Grants
2b Activities for generating funds
Fund-raising
Hall lettings
2c
Income from investments
Interest
2d Church activities
Fees
Other fund raising events
Total incoming resources		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2020
2020
2020
2019
£
£
£
£
37,933
-
37,933
37,161
6,818
-
6,818
3,884
5,230
-
5,230
3,753
5,129
-
5,129
17,467
11,712
-
11,712
11,669
4,461
3,276
7,737
10,550
412
467
879
366
5,000
-
5,000
13,500
-
1,500
1,500
5,000
76,695
5,243
81,938103,350
864
-
864
5,167
21,727
-
21,727
55,294
22,591-
22,591
60,461
68
-
68
57
1,805
-
1,805
9,199
864
-
864
1,612
2,669
-
2,669
10,811
102,023
5,243 107,266174,679

13

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

4
Staff costs
Wages and salaries
Other pension costs
3
Resources used

3a Church activities
Missionary and charitable giving:
Ministry:
Diocesan parish share
Families, Children Mission
Other
Clergy expenses
Upkeep of services
Music and choir
Church running expenses
Church maintenance and repairs
Churchyard upkeep
Hall running expenses
Hall maintenance and repairs
Printing and stationery
Parish office running expenses
Cost of appeals
Bank charges
3b Fund raising costs
Costs of fund raising events
Total resources used		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2020
2020
2020
2019
£
£
£
£
1,104
2,564
3,668
8,342
58,425
-
58,425
57,000
937
1,500
2,437
5,032
2,708
-
2,708
6,521
5,852
-
5,852
5,030
3,972
409
4,381
5,430
4,733
-
4,733
6,550
14,859
-
14,859
13,766
5,160
175
5,335
27,694
2,195
-
2,195
1,760
6,852
-
6,852
8,324
4,002
-
4,002
8,886
2,377
-
2,377
3,136
1,351
-
1,351
2,360
0
25
25
222
60
-
60
60
114,587
4,673
119,260
160,113
373
-
373
1,555
114,960
4,673
119,633
161,668
Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2020
2020
2020
2019
£
£
£
£
3,428
-
3,428
6,781
-
-
-
21
3,428
-
3,428
6,802

5 Transactions with related parties

Under current accounting regulations, the PCC is required to disclose all material transactions with related parties. The PCC considers those persons who are, or are closely connected to, members of the PCC to be related parties. There were no material transactions with related parties during 2020 or 2019.

14

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

6
Fixed assets for use by the PCC

Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2020
Disposals
At 31 December 2020
Depreciation
At 1 January 2020
Disposals
At 31 December 2020
Net book value
At 31 December 2020 and 2019
7
Debtors
Tax recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income
8
Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
Creditors for goods and services
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Hall
Total
Equipment
£
£
1,140
1,140
-
-
1,140
1,140
1,140
1,140
-
-
1,140
1,140
-
-
2020
2019
£
£
9,297
3,690
1,384
3,166
10,681
6,856
2020
2019
£
£
407
1,404
-
-
17,684
9,849
18,091
11,253

15

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

9 Fund details
Unrestricted funds - undesignated
General Fund
Unrestricted funds - designated
Diocesan Repair Scheme - Hall
Diocesan Repair Scheme - Church
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Special Charitable Collections
Grants
Total funds
10 Summary of fund assets
Unrestricted funds – undesignated
General Fund
Unrestricted funds - designated
Diocesan Repair Scheme - Hall
Diocesan Repair Scheme - Church
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Grants
Organ fund
Total funds		 1 January
Incoming Resources Transfers
31 December
2020 resources
Expended
2020
£
£
£
£
£
80,683
101,955
(114,960)
(5,430)
62,248		 1 January
Incoming Resources Transfers
31 December
2020 resources
Expended
2020
£
£
£
£
£
80,683
101,955
(114,960)
(5,430)
62,248
12,573
40
-
1,000
13,613
6,749
28
-
5,000
11,777
19,322
68
-
6,000
25,390
100,005
102,023
(114,960)
570
87,638
-
3.743
(3,173)
(570)
-
-
1,500
(1,500)
-
-
-
5,243
(4,673)
(570)
-
100,005
107,266
(119,633)
-
87,638
Fixed
assets
Current
assets
Liabilities: due
in less than
one year
Net asset
£
£
£
£
-
74,383
(12,135)
62,248
-
13,613
-
13,613
-
11,777
-
11,777
-
25,390
-
25,390
-
99,773
(12,135)
87,638
-
1,000
(1,000)
-
-
4,956
(4,956)
-
-
5,956
(5,956)
-
-
105,729
(18,091)
87,638

16